Gun sight attachment



u v n H U K @ug. 15, 1950 J. P. BENTLEY GUN SIGHT ATTACHMENT Filed 001:. 7, 1946 Patented Aug. 15, 1950 xaannul UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUN SIGHT ATTACHMENT James P. Bentley, St. Louis, Mo.

Application October 7, 1946, Serial No. 701,810

2 Claims. (Cl, 33-51) The present invention relates to an improved gun sight attachment, for use in wing shooting and the like.

The invention is primarily intended for use by non-expert huntsmen, and especially by a novice, or a huntsman of limited experience.

As is well known, when aiming at a flying target, such as, for example, a wild duck, it is extremely difficult for the average hunter to determine whether or not the target is within range of the ammunition, and equally diflicult to gauge the proper lead required to strike the same.

Particular difficulty is encountered with reference to the latter problem. That is to say, ,the lead required will vary under different circumstances, principally wind velocity. For example, assuming a ten miles per hour wind, the lead required when a duck is flying with the wind is ob viously greater than that required when a duck is flying into the wind.

The primary object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an attachment for the gun barrel which will enable a hunter to quickly determine whether or not the game is within range, said attachment including manually adjustable means to compensate for varying wind velocities whereby a reasonably accurate lead is automatically indicated for his guidance.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the device gives a reasonably accurate lead at any range.

A further object is the provision of adjustable means to compensate for wind variations whereby the amount of lead added in one direction is automatically deducted in the other direction.

Further objects are to provide a device that is not adversely affected by rain, snow, fog, glare, or background, which is light in weight and simply constructed, which may be quickly attached to or removed from the gun barrel, and which is mounted in such manner that in use displacement thereof under the firing action of the gun is obviated.

In the following description, these and other objects and features will be more fully set forth, reference being also had to the accompanying drawing in which the invention is illustrated in com'unction with a single barrel type of shotgun. It is to be understood, of course, that with slightly modified mounting means, the device is adapted for use on double barrel types of guns.

In the said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the sight attachment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view thereof on the line 3-3 inFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating an adjusted position;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the clamping component of the attachment per se;

Fig- 6 a vertical sectional view on the line 6--6 in .Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of a pair of identical sight posts included in the invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a resilient sleeve employed in mounting the invention;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a shotgun with the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a tool facilitating the expansion of the clamping member for mounting the attachment.

It is understood that while the invention is adapted. for use primarily in wing shooting, it may be successfully employed in hunting quail, rabbits, squirrels and other game. However, for the purpose of explaining the construction and advantages of the device, it will be assumed that it is being employed in the sport of hunting wild ducks.

With particular reference now to Fig. 1, it is seen that the sight attachment of my invention, generally indicated l2, comprises in its assembled state, an elongated flat bar l3, a pair of pins or sight posts 14, and a clamping member or clip IS.

The bar I3 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures I6 intermediate its ends, of a size to snugly receive the reduced threaded lower extremity I! of the pins [4 as will be seen. In use, the bar I3 is positioned on the gun barrel in a horizontal plane, and an upwardly extending bead or sight I8 is affixed to each extremity thereof.

Each sight post M, as best seen in Fig. '7, includes an upper knurled portion [9, an intermediate portion, a shoulder portion 20, and the reduced threaded lower portion l'l referred to previously.

The clamping member or clip I5 is made of the highestquality steel for reasons to be explained. It includes arcuate gripping prongs or jaws 2|, forwardly and rear-wardly extending arcuate portions 22, and a platform portion 23.

The platform portion 23, as illustrated, occupies a plane slightly above the uppermost peripheral surface of the clamp, and is provided with a pair of spaced threaded apertures 24, the distance between which is equal to twice the distance between a pair of the apertures Win the bar 13.

The platform 23 extends transversely of the longitudinal centerline of the clamp, and is defined by a pair of beaded or ridge portions 25 which are spaced apart a suflicient distance to accommodate the bar l3, and which merge into the body portion of said clamp as best seen in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 9, the device I2 is shown in position on the barrel B of a conventional shotgun G. As there indicated, the sight should be mounted approximately thirty-six inches from comb of gun to insure proper lead. In other words, the present device is so designed that the required lead is provided with the device positioned at a predetermined distance from the eye of the hunter when in shooting position, regardless of the length of the barrel B.

Heretofore, the rigid mounting of a removable sight attachment on the barrel of a gun so that the attachment is not repeatedly dislodged whenever the gun is fired has been a problem. Because of the smooth polished peripheral surface of the barrel, ordinary clips or spring arms cannot obtain a sufiiciently tenacious grip thereon.

To overcome this disadvantage, the clamping member [5 of the present invention is made, as has been noted, of the highest quality steel having only a slight degree of resiliency. Further, it is provided with two pairs of oppositely disposed clamping arms the inner peripheral sur faces of which and the body portion of the clamp correspond to the outer peripheral surface of the gun barrel. There is also provided a relatively thin lining sleeve of rubber or the like whose normal inside diameter is smaller than the outside diameter of the gun barrel. This sleeve is illustrated particularly in Fig. 8, and is designated by the numeral 26.

To mount the attachment l2 properly, the rubber liner 26 is expanded suificiently to pull it over the end of the gun barrel, whereupon it is positioned with its center thirty-six inches from the comb. Thereupon, a suitable expanding tool T, such as that portrayed in Fig. 10, is employed to expand the gripping members 2| sufliciently to pass the clamp l5 over the previously positioned liner 28. During this operation, it will be necessary to invert the attachment while passing over conventional front sight S. Thereafter it is righted and suspended in vertical alinement with said liner, whereupon manual pressure on the expanding tool is released whereby the de vice is rigidly affixed to the barrel in such manner as to obviate displacement whenthe gun is in use.

Removal of the attachment obviously requires only that the procedure be reversed, and will not be described in detail. In use, the present device is designed to proi vide a reasonably accurate lead for game within ange as determined by the upright posts l4. At forty yards for example, a mallard or large duck will be framed between said posts, whereas a teal or small duck will be framed between said posts when closer to the hunter. The term framed", as here used, is intended to mean that the leading end of the duck appears to be in contact with one of the posts It, and the trailing end of the duck appears to be in contact with the other of said posts. Should the entire outline of the duck be visible between the posts, then the duck is out of range.

The disposition of the posts I4 relative the beads l8 may be varied in accordance with prevailing wind conditions. Thus, on a calm day,

said posts are positioned equidistant from the heads I8, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Should a slight wind be blowing from the right, the posts II are unscrewed and the bar i3 is shifted to the right until the next adjacent apertures iii are in alinement with the threaded apertures 24, whereupon the posts are replaced. Manipulation of said posts is facilitated by the knurled portion l9 provided on each of them. The shoulder 20 on each post acts as a stop and also insures that the bar I3 is maintained rigidly in position on the platform portion 23 of the clamp component.

It is thus apparent that said posts function not only as range-determining elements, but also as the means whereby the proper lead adjustments may be made in accordance with wind conditions. Obviously also, they maintain the bar IS in selected position on the clamp member 15.

In Fig. 4 the bar I3 is illustrated in an extreme adjustment for a maximum wind of approximately sixteen miles per hour blowing from the right. Assuming that the wind is from the left, the bar [3 is similarly positioned leftwardly.

An example of operation will now be briefly set forth in connection with the Fig. 4 adjustment. Assuming that a duck is within range and is flying into the wind, that is from left to right, the huntsman sights the bird along the left end bead i8 and fires. Assuming that a duck is within range and flying with the wind, that is from right to left, the huntsman sights the bird along the right end bead I8 and fires. It is manifest that an increase in space between the right hand bead l8 and the right hand post l4 automatically effects a corresponding decrease in space between the left hand bead and the left hand post, or vice Versa, in all adjustments. Thus the proper lead is had in either direction.

It is understood of course that the invention is designed in accordance with known factors, such as the average size of the target in flight, the flying speed of the target, and the velocity of the ammunition.

As previously inferred, the attachment is particularly valuable to the novice and to huntsmen of limited experience. It enables the novice to quickly determine whether or not the target is within range, and provides for him a definite lead at any range. A simple manual adjustment compensates for variations in wind velocities, and the device insures that the user will do what is difficult even for the experienced hunter and almost impossible for the novice, that is, shoot in advance of the bird.

The precise construction illustrated and described manifestly may be modified as to details without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a shotgun, a sight attachment of the character described, said attachment including a clamp member adapted to be rigidly attached to the barrel of said gun at a point approximately thirty-six inches from the comb of said gun and having an integral horizontally disposed platform portion in a plane slightly above the upper peripheral surface of said barrel, a transversely disposed elongated fiat bar having'a bead rigid therewith adjacent each end thereof, and means for mounting said bar on said platform portion in a selected position relative to the common longitudinal vertical centerline of said clamp and said barrel, said means including a pair of threaded apertures each equi- NLHKUH KUUlVl distant from said centerline formed in said platform portion, a horizontal series of apertures each spaced relative to its adjacent aperture a distance equal to one half that obtaining between the pair of apertures in the platform provided in the bar aforesaid, and a pair of fastening elements each having a threaded portion adapted to pass through one aperture of said bar and into engagement with one threaded aperture in said platform.

2. In a gun sight attachment, the combination with the barrel and the comb of said gun of means whereby an increase of lead in one direction automatically effects a corresponding decrease of lead in the opposite direction, said means comprisin a horizontally disposed platform adapted to be clamped to said barrel approximately thirty-six inches from said comb, a pair of threaded apertures provided in said platform each equidistant from the common vertical longitudinal centerline of said barrel and said platform, an elongated flat bar adapted for positioning on the upper surface of the platform transversely thereof, a longitudinal series of spaced apertures provided in said bar with the spaces obtaining between each pair of adjacent apertures being equal to one half of the space obtaining between the pair of threaded apertures in the platform, a pair of fastening element each through an aperture of said bar and into en- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 217,770 Broden July 22, 1897 242,517 Edwards June 17, 1881 428,458 Cochran et al May 28, 1890 701,289 Browning June 3, 1902 752,962 Eby Feb. 23, 1904 755,665 Holman Mar. 29, 1904 846,173 Wise Mar. 5, 1907 891,063 Harris June 16, 1908 910,395 Lake Jan. 19, 1909 1,625,060 Storm Apr. 19, 1927 1,964,027 Bliss June 26, 1934 2,056,469 King Oct. 6, 1936 2,127,173 Hunt Aug. 16, 1938 2,297,575 McLean Sept. 29, 1942 2,386,420 Bailey Oct. 9, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 833,089 France 1938 

